What makes the best gift ideas for a wife? Read on for some super cool, special, and personalized picks! Then check out these gifting ideas for Mother’s Day for more ideas. This post contains affiliate links and gifted product.

Every husband knows it. You can just walk into a jewelry shop, ask for help, and buy the wife some bling. But what about when you’re looking for something more unique?

Today I’m going to share with you some of the best gift ideas for a wife – including if you’re looking for just a little something – a smaller gift – or a big birthday, anniversary, or holiday gift!

But first, some quick advice on how to choose!

Tips for finding the best gift ideas for a wife

The cool thing about buying a gift for a wife is that it can be really personal. You know what she likes (and if you don’t, find out quick!!) My hope is that at least one thing on this list will catch your attention but first, here are some quick tips.

Small vs. large gifts

Not all gifts are created equal. There are times when you are looking to surprise her with something sweet – but don’t want it to be flowers again. If gift giving is her (or your) love language, these small tokens can go a long way.

You’ll find some of these in this list of best gift ideas for a wife. These are also great for occasions where gift giving is appropriate but you’re on a budget. We tend to take this approach with Hanukkah gifts, when the real tradition is gifts for the kids, but we sometimes like to surprise each other.

Then there are the real occasions, where you want to buy her sometime truly special. For those occasions, jewelry might be a “default” but there are so many other ways to go – and I’ll highlight them below.

There are also those in between, when you want a real nice gift but not something that’s a zillion dollars.

Figure out your goal and your budget before purchasing, and it’ll help you figure things out faster.

Pointers and categories to look out for

Here are some general categories (besides for the more specific themes highlighted below) that you can look out for that make fabulous gifts:

• Kits or gift boxes of basics – If she has too much “stuff”, give her a kit of basics that she uses regularly. It features the thrill of unboxing presented in a beautiful, giftable package.

• Higher end and luxury versions of essentials – One of my favorite gifts that my husband bought me was high end sneakers, that really helped my physical activity and comfort levels. I have a couple of spins on this but it’s a great approach for the wife that won’t just splurge on these things on her own.

• Hobbies and interests – This is my favorite starting point for all gift giving! Is she a crafter? Gift something crafty! Is she a foodie? Gift a super cool kitchen thing. Is pickleball her religion? I have something super cool for you on this list! When scrolling through my best gift ideas for a wife, keep these things in mind when you spot what interests her – it’s probably a great gift!

• Things that make her life easier – My husband is often hesitant to purchase anything that’s household related – it feels too domestic – “here’s a mop, now clean!” But another favorite gift of his was the robotic vacuum… If it’s something pricier that you KNOW she’s been eyeing and will make the chores she already does simpler, it’s a great gift. But you need to know your customer.

• Personal gifts – And with wives, you can also go more personal. Since you know her well, there are fewer boundaries with gift giving.

18 best gift ideas for a wife (from a wife!)

Best Foodie Gifts for a wife

If your wife considers cooking an art, good food an asset, and enjoys hosting, here are some favorite gifts!

Smithey NO. 12 Grill Pan

She’ll tell you: not all cookware is created equal and Smithey leads the pack in real cookware. Their 12 inch cast iron grill pan is fabulous especially as the weather cools and trust me, she does NOT want to stand in the snow grilling those arayes to perfection.

Pro husband tip: do NOT wash this pan for her, or put it in the dishwasher (trust me, bro.) She needs to build up that seasoning.

Smithey’s unique polished cast iron solve a lot of cast iron woes, and on this grill pan, the ridges are polished for easy food release. They are wide, allowing for better grill marks and the diagonal angle make it even cooler.

Gina DeSantis Ceramics Palo Santo Crater Serving Bowl

As someone who hosts frequently, I can never have enough serveware, and Gina Desantis Ceramic’s Palo Santo Crater serving bowl is large enough to feed a crowd! Plus it’s an absolute showstopper. It serves as a gorgeous table centerpiece for fruit or dried florals.

The gorgeous texture on the outside is rustic but the light color keeps it fresh. The inside is smooth, a must for cleanability, with the exterior lending it its personality.

Handcrafted ceramics make functional art – so if your wife appreciates real art, this is a winning gift.

Copper Moon Coffee Galactic Gift Set

When coffee is your saving grace, as coffee is mine twice daily, a coffee focused gift is always a win! Copper Moon Coffee’s Galactic Gift Set not only has a cute and quirky theme but it turns incredible, smooth coffee into a gift! It’s a family-owned company and is my new favorite.

They offer a few varieties – including ground, beans, and single serve cups, and flavored versions of the same – and each pack comes with 3 few roast strengths. It also has a camping mug and a 16 oz Hydro Flask – which is the perfect size for us “big cup drinkers.” In fact, it’s my new go-to “carpool coffee” mug. And just to make things a little more fun, there are stickers as well.

Best Beauty Gift Ideas for a Wife

One of the easier elements of purchasing for a wife is that you can really be a bit more personal. While some beauty finds are often individual, you know your wife well, so go ahead and treat her!

Nail Reformation Press-on Nails

For the wife that loves to always have her nails done… Nail Reformation is the way to go! Find out which shape and size she loves and get her a gorgeous set of glue-on nails from Nail Reformation!

These beautiful nails have fun but classy designs and include everything needed for application and removal. Each set can be reused up to three times! And after Ihad already photographed these, I discovered that there was another layer below the top layer – for a total of 30 nails per set!

The designs pictured are Turtle Pie, Sun Stone, and Bloody Mary.

FACTORFIVE Night Retinol Cream

Every woman needs a good night cream, and FACTORFIVE Night Retinol Cream delivers incredible made-in-the-USA science. It features ethically-sourced adult human stem cell factors as well as a 0.25% retinol for a luxurious and effective skin treatment for fine lines, spots, and other signs of aging.

This award-winning cream is a treat for my night time routine and is a luxurious gift that she’ll love. It doesn’t feel greasy and comes in a beautiful box, with an innovative pump that keeps the product clean.

This is a treatment with visible results in about a month, and is a fabulous gift for the wife who is struggling with changes to her appearance but is avoiding more dramatic treatments.

Caring for Mama Glow Box

One of my favorite gift concepts is the idea of a bundled gift. When you know that your wife likes pampering and beauty-related finds, the Caring for Mama Glow Box turns items like hand cream, shea butter, lip balms and more into a gorgeous and pampering gift. I do recommend purchasing this for a woman who prides herself in her status as mama, even though this is not focused on parenting products.

In the Glow Box you have a carefully curated selection of beauty and wellness splurges including: Vaihea 8-Acid Daily Peel, Havyn HOPE: Comforting Collagen Hand Cream, Tēthos Thin Mint: Chocolate Mint Tea, Societea Golden Tea Infuser to go with it, Solterra Tribe Lip Bloom, Mom’s Stuff Protective Day Face Balm, Good Earth Soap Sugar Body Scrub, and an Isabella MG Handmade greeting card.

Besides for the thrill of unboxing such a set, each item is uniquely useful to a woman’s self-care regimens. There were small touches – like dried lavender – and its beautifully packaged too.

Use code MENUCHA for 10% off!

M2U NYC Makeup Essentials Kit

For the woman who enjoys trying new cosmetics and will always enjoy a new lip gloss, the M2U NYC replenishes her cosmetic bag while giving her the chance to try new things. And since it’s a ready-made set, the giftability factor is way high.

The kit comes with their BKB Eyeshadow Palette (with some gorgeous neutrals), Jelly Highlighter, Eyeshadow Primer – a favorite of mine that helps my eyeshadow last all day, Tubing Mascara (award-winning!), Cream Blush, and Matte Liquid Lipstick.

It’s an all-in-one makeup set and makes a fabulous gift idea for a wife who is trying to up her beauty routine and is ready to add some new products to her makeup stash.

Comfort & Sleep Gifts for a Wife

For years, I know my husband’s dream gift to be able to gift me was the gift of good sleep. While this is a bit of a stretch, comfort gifts are like a constant hug, and if they add a few hours of sleep to her week, it’s priceless.

Manta Sleep Sleep Mask SOUND with Bluetooth earbuds

Manta is known for their innovative sleep masks that cushion the eyes, providing total darkness without the eye pressure. Their Manta SOUND Sleep Masks take it to the next level, with super thin bluetooth speakers that fit in little slots right by the ears.

One of the silly caveats of sleep masks that have prevented them from working for me was that they are so uncomfortable. Manta Sleep fixes that with their unique masks. But for those of us who enjoy sound to help us sleep, earbuds kind of kill that vibe – especially for side sleepers.

With Manta SOUND, now we can play our white noise, music, boring podcast, or whatever helps us sleep right from the mask, without anything in our ears. The buttons on this are integrated and don’t disturb. The battery notifications aren’t audible – they won’t beep in our sleep. It has 24 hour battery life at the maximum volume, so it won’t matter if she falls asleep with it on. And it’s made from a knit mesh to breathe better. It even has an extra removable head strap to secure it better.

1i4 Group Microwavable Heated Slippers

As someone with bad feet, I always enjoy a cozy pair of house slippers. But when the weather really feels cold, or if I’ve been on my feet for a long time, my feet an really use that extra comfort. If your wife struggles with the same, 1i4 Group’s microwavable heated slippers are a winning gift.

They’re incredibly soft and have a millet seed filling that heats up when microwaved and retains its heat to sooth aching feet. It’s lavender infused for an added aromatherapeutic touch.

Designed for downtime (they’re too heavy to use as house slippers and are ideal for “foot therapy”) they are also an incredibly cozy gift for the winter, when even a good heating system can’t always keep the toes warm. It’s like a heated blanket just for the feet.

CozyThrow💤™

CozyThrow💤™ has remade the idea of a good snuggle on the couch with a throw blanket. They did this by adding hand and foot pockets to allow you to completely wrap into it. But you can still have access to your hands while swaddling yourself with the CozyThrow thanks to the fingertip openings.

Imagine sitting wrapped on the couch with a blanket that completely envelops you – and stays that way – while still able to man the remote, scroll on your phone… your wife will love it! It’s incredibly soft and plush too.

Pro Tip: if your wife happens to have an adorable toddler, you can get them a matching set for together cuddles – it’ll be in epic gift! The CozyCo💤™ is a child-size version of the same that’ll completely charm them both!

Best Fashion and Accessories Gifts for a Wife

Wearables are one of my favorite gifts to receive (did I mention the sneakers above?) For some you’ll need to know her style – or the gist of it – and for some you won’t. Look for luxury items, things she won’t easily spend on her own. For every woman that price point can be different, and the cool thing is, that fashion and accessories come in a huge range of price points!

LUCYD Smart Glasses

For busy women, hands-free tools are a win! LUCYD smart glasses can be purchased with a prescription or without, and come in such beautiful styles! They allow me to listen to podcasts while working or folding laundry (earbuds are cool, but I lose mine. I always have my glasses on…) They allow me to still hear what’s going on around the house.

I can answer calls and hear maps directions directly in my ear when driving, and I just love the convenience of always having that on my face. It has AI capabilities too, including live translation. It integrates with the phone’s live voice assistant to provide touch-free assistance.

Tip: For sizing, measure a pair of her glasses or sunglasses that fits well.

Anne Cate Skyline Mini Wallet Emergency Kit

For a small handbag accessory gift that’s SO practical but also personal, try Anna Cate. This little handbag emergency kit features everything she might need in a small and compact pouch. Think: Shout wipes, lip balm, hand sanitizer, face wipes, a ponytail holder, mini sewing kit, nail file, and more!

Their Skyline series allows you to choose her favorite city and gift one that’s really meaningful to her. This is a beautiful and practical gift that really will touch her, especially if she’s living far from home. Or better yet: if there’s a prominent city where you met, it’s a great addition to an anniversary gift.

bbFonts Makeup Bag or Tote

For the wife that enjoys design, bold patterns, and an infusion of color in her life, bbFonts takes the boring out of bags! Their bold prints come in multiple bag types so go ahead and choose her favorite!

Their Betty cosmetics bag is so spacious (bonus points if you fill it with makeup that I linked above) and even has an extra long vegan leather zipper pull. It’s made of textured canvas with a denim lining, and has a sturdy metal zipper.

This market tote is made out of durable cotton canvas, and sturdy cotton handles. It’s a zippered bag with inner pockets – for a major upgrade on a well-made bag.

Choose the print that you think SHE’LL like best – my favorite is the Sunshine Day print!

Hat Country Abilene Rawhide Cowgirl Boots

You don’t need to be country to love a good pair of cowgirl boots! The beautiful tone-on-tone stitching and gorgeous dark leather on the Abilene Rawhide Cowgirl Boots from Hat Country makes this grudging city-dweller almost smell the grass. I’ve been wearing them around and getting the compliments piled on.

If leather is her love language, these boots will be a winning gift. The scalloped top adds a lovely feminine touch, and the boot comes in so many small variations that you can choose the detail type she likes best. Hardware? Color? Contrast stitching? Simple like mine? They’ve got it!

Sizing tip: purchase according to another pair of boots – sometimes people size boots up since they’re more often worn with socks.

Luvons Luxury Slides

Luvons is a mom-owned business that creates gorgeous comfortable slides that can be worn both in and out. These slippers are machine washable and look like shoes but are hugs for her feet. The Devon slippers were originally designed for shoe-free homes, to offer a beautiful option that doesn’t feel ugly.

While my own home is not shoe-free, the Luvons are a win for my fussy feet for both indoors and out. They slide right on and provide arch support and warmth, with a fully structured sole that allows them to be safely worn out as well.

They come in a few colors in velvet, raffia, and silk textures. They are machine washable and even come with a washbag to clean them in! And for lack of a better way to describe them: they look rich. They are understated elegance combined with comfort – a win for the fashionable wife who still cares about her feet.

Best Health & Fitness Gifts for a Wife

Discovering that I am prediabetic kind of shook me: I’m a busy mom, with little time to food prep and exercise, and now, to be a good mom, I had to take time to care for myself. Whether your wife is into wellness or health due to lifestyle choice or due to lack of choice, these picks will really help.

Rukstr Element Weighted Vest

Rucking is an exercise trend with purpose: it refers to walking with a weighted vest on to get more out of the walk. However, many rucking vests are cumbersome and bulky. Rukstr’s vests are well made – supportive, compact, not bulky, and designed for a woman’s body. They have two straps and pockets and clips for devices and accessories.

My core exercise routine is basically just getting my son to day care and being able to get more out of that walk is priceless to my help! Rukstr fits under the hoodie I wear in chiller weather and has been giving me a workout even if I’m tired and go slow.

Whether she enjoys a good new workout tool or can use the boost in her existing routine, Rukstr is a fabulous gift for wives!

USE CODE MENUCHA FOR 10% OFF!

FIT KING Advanced Foot and Leg Air Massage Boots

Part of increasing my exercise routine is the after-effects: I’m on my feet a lot already, and did I mention that they ache?

FitKing makes high end recovery tools but their full-leg massage boots are my favorite! They use air to compress and decompress the boots, allowing for massage all along the leg.

They are HSA and FSA eligible and offer various intensity modes. There are also two massage modes – circulation and sequence and you can set a timer as well. I find them easy to put on and take off and I’ve truly been enjoying this – a treat after a hard walk or a long day.

Tip: If you’re unsure of sizing, measure a pair of her jeans that fits well.

FIT KING Compression Knee Massager with Heat

If she particularly has knee issues, or you’re looking for something on a smaller scale, the Fit King knee massager is another great gift idea for a wife. It features heat in addition to the compression massage and also has intensity settings.

This one is also HSA and FSA eligible. It can be used together as a set, or separate them and use them individually. Each knee gets its own settings with its own control unit. And this one doesn’t need to be sized specifically – it has an adjustable strap for best fit.

The Pretty Pickleball Company Rotten to the Core Paddle

If to your wife Pickleball is not just a hobby but a way of life, The Pretty Pickleball Company’s high end paddles are for her! They are limted-edition fairy-tale inspired collectibles, but you don’t need to go all Princess on her! The Wretched collection features sassy styles, like this Rotten to the Core paddle that I chose.

It comes in a beautiful book-style box that fits right onto the shelf. Don’t let the gorgeous print fool you – this paddle is the real deal! It’s a T700 raw carbon fiber paddle with a diamond grit matte finish – appropriate for beginners AND competitive players alike. The handle is ergonomic and easy-to-grip. The premium polymer honeycomb core and balanced weight make it responsive and reliable.

Got any more best gift ideas for a wife to add to the list? Comment below!

The post 18+ Best Gift Ideas for a Wife appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Today, I’m excited to be teaching you a really fun resin craft that is fabulous for those of you who have already made a craft or two with resin: How to make a resin tray – with or without handles.

In this post, I’ll be addressing important things to remember, and tips for getting the results you want. I’ll be sharing how I like to attach my handles (I know that’s a biggie for many of you here). And I’ll share all about getting creative with your fill-ins – because with trays you have that much more surface area.

The resin tray is the DIY epoxy resin coaster’s second cousin but so much more fun, if you ask me! Not only do you have so much surface area to explore and fill in, but you’re only making one, not a set, making it much less… boring?

Tips for making a DIY resin tray

There are two main types of resin trays that I’ll be crafting with you but first… let’s offer some general tips that are critical to the success of learning how to make a resin tray.

Critical tips for making resin trays

Level your surface

Yes, I made this mistake. Since the tray is a larger item, variations in surface – that is, a slight tilt – will make a MUCH bigger difference.

You WILL want to level your surface first. While this might not have been an issue with smaller crafts like DIY resin earrings or pendants, you might have a very shaky tray that’s spilling out of the mold on one end and only half full on the other if you neglect this step.

To do this, work on a wood board of sorts instead of directly on your surface. This should be a scrap board that you don’t mind ruining, as if resin gets on and cures, you’ll need to sand it off to remove it.

Place a bubble level on the surface. Use notebooks or old magazines (again, those you don’t mind ruining) to prop your surface on either side as needed to make it level.

Mix your resin slowly and take your time with air bubbles.

Especially when it comes to trays with a bit more of a rim, you really need to take your time with it to avoid air bubbles. While smaller crafts can be zapped with a heat gun (and you’ll do the same with this one) you’ll find that there is so much surface area to go over, you’ll want to be careful from the get go.

First of all, mix slowly. Second, pour slowly. The more you do, the more you’ll need to correct. Third, take time to go over it slowly with a heat gun. And fourth, if there’s a rim, first fill the rim, remove heat bubbles from there, then fill the rest and zap bubbles again.

Protect your project

More surface space means more space for lint and other debris to get in. Protect your project while curing – just sticking an empty and totally clean storage container over it while curing can work.

Two types of DIY resin trays

Resin trays can come in all sorts of forms and shapes, however for the sake of this post I’m going to make focus on two main types:

• A rimmed tray – This is typically a small oval, and great as a trinket dish or small tray to corral cosmetics.
• With handles – This is normally a larger rectangular tray, and is very popular with irregular edges for a “geode” look.

In this tutorial, we’ll focus less on the exact design you choose and more on getting this design right.

How to make a resin tray with a rim

When you have a rim, even if it’s a low one, think of it as another layer to your project. If you’d like to do it as a separate color, you can, allowing it to cure or partially cure before adding your main base layer.

You also need to make sure your resin reaches all the corners of this rim – the deeper the corners in a mold, the more likely you are to trap air bubbles, and your rimmed resin tray mold has corners all around…

And finally, as I mentioned, you’ll need to make sure to pop air bubbles in the rim before proceeding to pour the rest of your project, just to make sure they don’t get too deep and embedded.

How to make a resin tray with handles

There are three ways to add handles to a resin tray:

1. Fixing them in place on the mold and pouring around them.
2. Inserting them when the resin is partially cured.
3. Drilling holes and screwing them in after the resin has cured.

Each one has its advantages. Inserting handles as part of the process allows you to have less of a job finishing it up. The first way means you’ll have the metal part of the handles showing on the bottom. It’s also another step of the process to work in and you’ll need to work around it with your design.

The second, partially curing and then adding, allows you to skip the hardware, but you’ll need to get to know your resin well to see when the ideal time is to do this. It’s ideal for a totally fluid design, not one with fixed elements.

Drilling holes and adding the handles after feels the most professional to me, which is why I did it. You need to make sure you don’t add anything difficult to drill in the spots where you’ll be doing that, but you can totally work around your existing design other than that. You’ll also need to make sure to get your placement right. It’s a bit more work, but looks so good.

How to Make a Resin Tray

Ready for the step by step tutorial? Just a reminder: this will vary based on what your specific project is! I’ll share based on what I did.

What you Need

Materials

• Epoxy resin
• White or black resin dye
• OR glitter
• For resin tray with handles: Rectangular tray mold
• Two cabinet or resin tray handles – many tray molds come with handles included. However, if you’re making this with a mold you already have or want a different style, you’ll want to get this separately.
• For resin tray with rimmed: rimmed oval resin tray mold
• Mix-ins and decorations if doing a fixed design tray. Ideas: dried flowers, sprinkles, etc.
• Disposable gloves
• Felt sliders or regular adhesive felt for tray with handles
• Optional: raw rice (to measure how much resin you need – can be eaten after)

Tools & Equipment

• Respirator mask
• Heat gun
• Measuring cup
• Mixing jug
• Sticks for stirring
• Drill
• Screwdriver

Crafting the Tray Itself

Rimmed tray

On this one we’ll be showing a more fluid design with glitter and pigment.

1. Optional: to gauge how much resin you’ll need, you can add rice to your mold and then measure how much it takes to fill it. Keep in mind, you’ll need to clean your mold after.

2. Mix up your resin. Stir it slowly to avoid air bubbles. Mix according to package instructions.

3. Slowly mix in any glitters or pigments you plan to use.

4. Fill your base layer and pop air bubbles using a heat gun. Note: I HIGHLY recommend first filling the rim, popping those bubbles, and then filling the base.

5. I allowed my transparent glitter layer to cure overnight and then added a layer with black pigment.

6. When fully cured, demold.

Note: my sample has LOTS of air bubbles because I did not follow the above advice on this tray. The next one was much better….

Flat Tray

On this one, I’ll be using a fixed design.

1. Measure and mix up your resin. Spread a thin layer on the bottom of your tray, zap air bubbles, and allow it to get tacky (timing will vary based on resin.

2. Place your design on your tacky surface. I used Hanukkah candles to make a Menorah tray. You’re doing it when your first layer is tacky so that it stays fixed in place.

3. Allow it to cure and pour your next layer. If you want it to be fully clear around the design, first do a clear layer and then a backing layer. I did a translucent white backing layer, then swirled in small amounts of straight white pigment with a toothpick to add a subtle marbled effect.

When it’s totally cured, demold it and we’ll then add handles…

Adding Handles to a Resin Tray

1. Mark the location of your holes. Note: using masking tape to make a template on your hardware and applying it to your resin tray might help.

2. Drill your holes.

3. Partially screw in your screws from back to front so that they just hit the surface of the front of the resin.

4. Place your handle where it belongs and holding it in place with your weak hand, screw the screws into the hardware.

5. Add felt sliders to cover the screws and serve as “legs” for your tray.

You’ve learned how to make a resin tray with handles or a rim! Which do you prefer and what will you be using yours for? Comment below!

DIY Resin Vanity Tray Tutorials

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Learn how to make DIY resin vanity tray in two styles - with handles or with a rim! Either way it's a fun, easy resin craft for beginners to try.

Print

Materials

• Epoxy resin
• White or black resin dye
• OR glitter
• For resin tray with handles: Rectangular tray mold
• Two cabinet or resin tray handles – many tray molds come with handles included. However, if you’re making this with a mold you already have or want a different style, you’ll want to get this separately.
• For resin tray with rimmed: rimmed oval resin tray mold
• Mix-ins and decorations if doing a fixed design tray. Ideas: dried flowers, sprinkles, etc.
• Disposable gloves
• Felt sliders or regular adhesive felt for tray with handles
• Optional: raw rice (to measure how much resin you need – can be eaten after)

Tools

• Respirator mask
• Heat gun
• Measuring cup
• Mixing jug
• Sticks for stirring
• Drill
• Screwdriver

Instructions

Rimmed tray

1. Optional: to gauge how much resin you'll need, you can add rice to your mold and then measure how much it takes to fill it. Keep in mind, you'll need to clean your mold after.

2. Mix up your resin. Stir it slowly to avoid air bubbles. Mix according to package instructions.

3. Slowly mix in any glitters or pigments you plan to use.

4. Fill your base layer and pop air bubbles using a heat gun. Note: I HIGHLY recommend first filling the rim, popping those bubbles, and then filling the base.

5. I allowed my transparent glitter layer to cure overnight and then added a layer with black pigment.

6. When fully cured, demold.

Flat Tray

1. Measure and mix up your resin. Spread a thin layer on the bottom of your tray, zap air bubbles, and allow it to get tacky (timing will vary based on resin.

2. Place your design on your tacky surface. I used Hanukkah candles to make a Menorah tray. You're doing it when your first layer is tacky so that it stays fixed in place.

3. Allow it to cure and pour your next layer. If you want it to be fully clear around the design, first do a clear layer and then a backing layer. I did a translucent white backing layer, then swirled in small amounts of straight white pigment with a toothpick to add a subtle marbled effect.

When it's totally cured, demold it and we'll then add handles...

Adding Handles

1. Mark the location of your holes. Note: using masking tape to make a template on your hardware and applying it to your resin tray might help.

2. Drill your holes.

3. Partially screw in your screws from back to front so that they just hit the surface of the front of the resin.

4. Place your handle where it belongs and holding it in place with your weak hand, screw the screws into the hardware.

5. Add felt sliders to cover the screws and serve as "legs" for your tray.

Notes

Critical tips for making resin trays

• Level your surface
• Mix your resin slowly and take your time with air bubbles
• Protect your surface

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post How to Make a Resin Tray with Handles appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

I picked up these driftwood slices ages ago, because I saw ’em and had to have ’em and have been hoarding them since. Not long ago, I had a rare moment of crafting time with actual big people, not just littles, and I pulled out my box of wooden stuff and these paint markers to relax with some illustrations.

And then these DIY drift wood name keychains somehow appeared beneath my hands!

I started by writing my niece’s name on one of them, and then it evolved into making one as a Hanukkah gift for the nieces and nephews I’d be seeing, as well as my own kids. And yes, I wrote “breathe” on one just to show you that you can do random words too. Also, in case I forget to breathe, I guess?

Tips for making wood slice keychains

My driftwood slices came without holes, so yes I did drill holes. The truth is, you can make these name keychains with any blank – a more traditional wood slice, an ornament blank that comes pre-drilled, or even acrylic blanks.

The size of these, though, are really perfect for keychains, and the organic shapes add so much charm. The angled edges make them really easy to drill and hang but the thick body of them make them sturdy and durable. They’re smooth to the touch too.

Using paint markers is just a really easy way to make a craft a take-and-go tabletop, do-anywhere type of activity. It means you can do it as a party craft with kids making their own too.

However, you can, of course, also use paint and just use a marker for the name. You can also add the name using small alphabet stickers (look for nail stickers for longer names?) or designs cut on your Cricut.

Make sure you use sturdy hardware, especially the jumprings, as keychains get lots of wear and tear.

I sealed mine with matte Mod Podge to make it more durable, however that step is definitely optional. My kids have had them on their heavily-abused backpacks for a good six weeks so far and they are going strong. I have not received any repair requests… yet.

These make fabulous party favors, small gifts to hand-out, swag, or whatever… And yes! You can even turn them into ornaments and necklaces…

How to make Drift Wood Slice Keychains

I’m going to share the process to make it very specifically how I did, however, this is really a “do your own thing” kind of idea! So totally do it how you want and get creative.

Materials

• Driftwood ovals
• Paint markers
• Matte Mod Podge
• Foam Pouncer
• Soft paintbrush
• Good, thick jump rings
• Keychain hardware
• Pliers
• Drill or rotary tool (I have the Worx MakerX) with drill bit

Process

1. Start by coloring the base of your keychain. I made mine two-sided but left the sides natural. Use a metallic marker for the base.

2. Take a pastel marker in the same color as the metallic and add a border. It doesn’t need to be neat – it should have a natural, organic look like the driftwood does.

3. Add some detail to your border. I added a lacy edge to some and some comic-style lines to others.

4. Use the thin side of your paint marker to write the name once the background marker has dried. If you’re not confident in your lettering skills, you can pencil it in first.

Play around with both script and print fonts!

5. To seal it in, you’ll use Mod Podge or an acrylic spray sealer. An acrylic sealer doesn’t require dry time but you need space to work with. Especially if using Mod podge, make sure to allow your lettering to completely dry first! Give it some extra time! You don’t want to smear it.

Begin by gently pouncing on some Mod Podge. Then use a soft paintbrush to gently smooth out any texture the pouncer leaves. The main point in painting it this way is to avoid overworking the Mod Podge and smudging your name.

6. Drill a hole. Note: if doing this at an event or in a group, do this step in advance to prep it for the crafters.

7. Attach your keychain with a jumpring.

Your wood slice keychains are finished and ready to gift! What will you be writing on yours? Would you do anything different? Comment below!

DIY Wood Slice Keychains

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $3

Print

Materials

• Driftwood ovals
• Paint markers
• Matte Mod Podge
• Foam Pouncer
• Soft paintbrush
• Good, thick jump rings
• Keychain hardware

Tools

• Pliers
• Drill or rotary tool (I have the Worx MakerX) with drill bit

Instructions

1. Start by coloring the base of your keychain. I made mine two-sided but left the sides natural. Use a metallic marker for the base.

2. Take a pastel marker in the same color as the metallic and add a border. It doesn't need to be neat - it should have a natural, organic look like the driftwood does.

3. Add some detail to your border. I added a lacy edge to some and some comic-style lines to others.

4. Use the thin side of your paint marker to write the name once the background marker has dried. If you're not confident in your lettering skills, you can pencil it in first. Play around with both script and print fonts!

5. To seal it in, you'll use Mod Podge or an acrylic spray sealer. An acrylic sealer doesn't require dry time but you need space to work with. Especially if using Mod podge, make sure to allow your lettering to completely dry first! Give it some extra time! You don't want to smear it.

Begin by gently pouncing on some Mod Podge. Then use a soft paintbrush to gently smooth out any texture the pouncer leaves. The main point in painting it this way is to avoid overworking the Mod Podge and smudging your name.

6. Drill a hole. Note: if doing this at an event or in a group, do this step in advance to prep it for the crafters.

7. Attach your keychain with a jumpring.

Your wood slice keychains are finished and ready to gift! What will you be writing on yours? Would you do anything different? Comment below!

Notes

Make sure you use sturdy hardware, especially the jumprings, as keychains get lots of wear and tear.

I sealed mine with matte Mod Podge to make it more durable, however that step is definitely optional. My kids have had them on their heavily-abused backpacks for a good six weeks so far and they are going strong. I have not received any repair requests... yet.

These make fabulous party favors, small gifts to hand-out, swag, or whatever... And yes! You can even turn them into ornaments and necklaces...

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post Wood Slice Keychains with Names or Words appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Looking for gift guides for every occasion? Check out these tried and true, carefully curated gift ideas, full of fabulous classics, out-of-the-ordinary finds, cool and quirky, tasteful and meaningful, and every type of gift idea! Browse by age, for kids or for adults, by occasion or event, and more!

Gift Ideas for Kids by Age

These gift guides for kids were created based on the age and gender of my own kids at the time of creation. I would recommend not only looking through exact match gift guides, but also those that are adjacent. Look through both boy and girl ones where relevant (they’re not really that specific – they were just created with a child of that gender). Look through the ages before and after the one you’re after.
Click on the image to be taken to the guide. Or, scroll past these for interest-based gift ideas for kids – and more gift guides!

Gift Guides for Kids by Theme

These gift guides for kids were created based on various interest groups – whether it was my own kid’s favorite character at the time, various craft themes, or play value.
Click on the image to be taken to the guide. Or, scroll past these for some grown-up and family themed gift guides.

Gift Ideas for when a new baby comes!

We’ve had a baby a few times. Four to be exact. And I feel somewhat qualified to advise you on what lovely gifts would be. Whether you’re looking for something to bring to a Baby Sprinkle or a gift for a first child, whether you’re looking for inexpensive must-haves that are game-changing for parents, or luxurious splurges in any price point… you’ll definitely find something to gift here.
Click on the image to be taken to the guide. Or, scroll past these for some more occasion-based gift ideas.

Gift Guides for Adults by Occasion

You might be going to a housewarming party – or just looking for something to bring someone who is into decorating. You might have a crafting buddy who has everything (but you know, there’s always something else) or be looking for something for a man (good luck). These gift guides focus on occasion or interest but also include ideas for anyone at any time!
Click on the image to be taken to the guide. Or, scroll past these for some mixed kid and adult gift ideas.

Gift Guides for Kids and Adults

These guides feature more ideas for kids and adults, based on theme! Whether it’s a white elephant gift exchange or a Hanukkah party, a creative of any age group, or something the whole family can enjoy, you’ll want to check these out. There is so much overlap – I recommend checking them all out, especially if you’re looking for whole-family gifts.
Click on the image to be taken to the guide.

Done looking through? Find more recommendations in my Amazon storefront!

The post Carefully Curated Gift Guides for Every Occasion appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

This mom to mom review of the Nex Playground gaming system will help you figure out if it’s the correct device for your family! If you want more fun gift ideas, check out these favorite gifts for an 8 year old boy. This post contains affiliate links.

It’s been a while since I created a family-focused review post, and while I love doing it, I always hate committing to it. I have to really love it to decide to dedicate a day out of my life to writing a whole post for it.

When I tested the Nex Playground for my (as of now upcoming) Hanukkah gift guide, I knew I had to also give it its own review because honestly, it’s everything I’ve been looking for in a gaming device for my kids. So while I did receive a gifted Nex Playground, I was not required to write this review and chose to do it based on my positive experiences.

Not only that, but it’s a small company that is shaking things up and doing things differently – and more affordably – and I’m always game for that!

What is the Nex Playground?

Nex Playground is a gaming device that uses a camera to detect your body. It’s a small cube that gets mounted in front of the TV and connected via HDMI.

Game play is done using your body motions – whether it’s flinging, swinging, swiping, bopping, dancing… and the camera detects you and tracks your motions.

I hooked mine up to an old TV and it took minutes to set up and start playing some awesome games…

Main qualities that make me love the Nex Playground

There are a few things that make Nex Playground the perfect pick for a family like mine – in fact, it’s everything I’ve been missing in a gaming console. For reference, we own a Switch, VR headset, and each kid has their own kid’s tablet to play on.

Active Play

We all know (and loathe) the look of our kids huddled in their devices. Even the least active game on Nex Playground has kids up and moving.

Some examples of actual active play games include:

• Starri – a music/dancing game – this is the one you might want to deactivate, more on that below
• Bowling Strike, Basketball Knockout, Tennis Smash, and other sports games
• Family Fitness Challenge
• Nexgym Fitness
• & More – plus more coming!

But even without, you’re always moving. For example, Fruit Ninja has you slashing wildly around. Whack a mole has you bopping around super fast…

Built-in Multi-player

While some game consoles allow you to play with up to four players, for Nex Playground you need no additional accessories. Because the body is the way you play the game, all you need for four players to play the games that allow it is… four players!

That makes it a fantastic sibling gift!

Not all games accommodate that many, but enough do to make it worthwhile.

Bye Bye Strangers

One of my biggest issues with my kids gaming is the ability to communicate with strangers online. While I am on top of it, and implement parental controls, it gets so frustrating when my kids beg me to play certain games with their friends.

While for some people this might be a drawback, for me one of the biggest wins with Nex Playground is that the game play itself is not social. There are no strangers pretending to be kids in your kids’ game play. I LOVE that I don’t need to be on top of which games need controls and check ins, AND I don’t need to field all those complaints about how unfairly strict I am while I’m trying to protect my babies.

No Violence or Adult Stuff

All of the games as of now are incredibly tame – even games where you’re “destroying” things are very mild and cartoonish – like popping balloons. They are truly kid-friendly (with the slight exception of Starri, more on that below).

These games are also much less overstimulating than your typical video game.

And also there are no ads!

The cost Factor of Nex Playground

One of the biggest perks of Nex Playground is the lower startup and running costs. While the device itself is comparable to other consoles, it’s still so much cheaper to keep using it (and even your first purchase will lily run cheaper…)

Affordable base price

The cost of the device itself is on the low end of gaming consoles. As of writing this, the cost on all retailers is about $200 (but costs can vary – check retailer for exact pricing).

Since it’s something that siblings can really play with together, you only need to get one for the family.

No need for accessories

And since they don’t need multiple accessories to play together… you really only need to buy the console!

One accessory you may want to purchase (and I think the only one that’s actually available now) is the carry case, which makes sense to have if you won’t be keeping it out at all times, or if you plan to travel with it, of course.

Includes five GOOD games!

It comes with games. I repeat, it comes with five actual, real-life, good games included in the purchase price.

One thing that so confuses me with game systems is that it’s very hard to get started without purchasing additional games. Each game usually runs $20 (at the very cheap end) and $60 or so for the more popular ones. If you’ve been in gaming device world already, you get my frustration.

Nex Playground comes with the following games included:

• Fruit Ninja – yup, that popular fruit slicing arcade game that’ll get your arms swinging like crazy!
• Whack A Mole – which is just like it sounds
• Party Foul – contains some mini games within, all in a crazy wild party theme. Squawk like a chicken, spray soft drinks, clap flies…
• Starri – a dancing game
• Go Keeper – the goalie end of Soccer

That means that you have plenty to play without spending another penny.

Affordable Subscription for all-game access

In addition to those five games, there is one flat quarterly or yearly fee to have access to all their games. That includes licenses with Sesame Street, Hasbro, and some from DreamWorks coming soon. It also includes two fitness games – one is a grown-up focused training program (you can cancel that gym membership!!) and one is a family-focused fitness game.

It includes educational games, active games, arcade games, sports, and more.

If I think back to how much we’ve spent on games, this is a steal. And if you don’t want to subscribe, you can purchase non-subscription all-access cards that are limited in duration (by quarter, by year) and don’t auto-renew. So if you find you’re using it mostly during summer/winter, etc. you can simply purchase quarterly cards for those time periods.

Target also carries a 3-game sports pack (in store only) for I think around $30 to own – and I look forward to seeing more affordable self-owned games like that!

Find the complete list of current and upcoming games here. They are releasing multiple new games monthly and have so much in the works.

No in-app purchases

Another biggie with little kids is in-app purchases that they make by mistake. Yeah, there are parental controls for that, but it gets even worse when they get older and start begging for upgrades.

Nex just doesn’t have that. I love it.

More Cool Features

Some more features that help make Nex Playground a well-made positive play experience

• The technology is very good and accurate
• There is an attached magnetic camera cover. It won’t get lost – it’s attached.
• Fun, kid-friendly design that’s modern and looks good in the home.
• Compact size, portable – you can bring it to family get-togethers, hotels, and anywhere you have a TV screen to hook it up to.
• Offline play – while you need an internet connection for setup, you can play offline.
• Easy, intuitive setup – it really went so smoothly
• Deactivate apps as needed, so if you have concerns with a game, your kids won’t access it.
• Comes with a slim remote that’s needed for some setup and navigation.

Is the Play Pass Subscription required? Is it worth it?

Since Nex comes with five games, you can definitely get your money’s worth without purchasing additional games. And they are quite diverse in interest. However, you will likely want to explore other games.

So while it’s not required, and you can definitely enjoy Nex without the subscription, you probably WILL want it. However, like I said, you can purchase the non-subscription version as you feel you need it. It’s a digital download, so you can activate it immediately upon purchase.

Is it worth it, though? I think it is more than worth it. I am floored, in fact, by the incredible value that Nex brings with an $89 yearly subscription. It can cover things like gym memberships because of the training involved, and they are constantly bringing in new games.

So if you’re a grandparent who has the grandkids visit occasionally and wants something cool for them, it probably makes more sense to purchase quarterly passes before their visits.

But if you’re purchasing it for your own home, a Play Pass subscription is very worthwhile in the value that it brings – in gameplay value, exercise and extracurricular value, and even educational value.

Main critical feedback of Nex Playground

I’m not going to leave this off without telling you the “I wish they would change” elements of Nex Playground.

1. One of the five games that are included is Starri – a dancing game that goes to pop music. It’s popular pop songs, in adult themes, with mild language you might find in typical pop music. I wish they had made it totally kid-friendly, but of course, you can deactivate it.

For some people this app as an included game might be the thing that makes it for them – especially homes with teens!

2. One of my biggest concerns with these types of things is taking on another subscription. At the same time, we know we spend on these types of things anyway.

The thing is: because when we purchase new games it’s often a birthday gift or reward, having a subscription doesn’t fully compensate. That’s why I’m looking forward to seeing more non-subscription game purchase opportunities.

At the same time, this does keep the gaming budget under control, and again, for many people (to a degree us too) the affordable all-access subscription is a good thing.

Who is the Nex Playground good for

Nex Playground seems to be designed to appeal to younger kids (probably ages 3 and older). However, it can DEFINITELY be played by older kids. While not really for gaming “geeks”, since it doesn’t have most standard games (such as Minecraft, Roblox) that is actually an advantage for me, even when it comes to my tween.

It’s a fabulous family gaming console, and has appeal to kids of all abilities.

It also has adult appeal. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been exercising much more than I ever did thanks to Nex. So there really is not an age cap on this.

And finally, I think it’s a fabulous system, as I’ve mentioned, for grandparents to have for when the grandkids come. It’s easy to hook up, can be stored away easily (but you might not want to), and uses the regular TV screen to play, making it perfect for irregular use too.

Got any more questions about this Nex Playground review? Comment below!

The post Nex Playground Review – Active Video Game System appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

These awesome gifts for 1 year olds are perfect for first birthday boys (and girls), for Christmas, Hanukkah, or any occasion! When you’re done, check out this adorable DIY felt first birthday crown template. This post contains affiliate links and gifted products.

1 year olds are a magical age to gift for. They are learning and exploring so much, and love just about anything you hand them! They love to play and manipulate objects – they don’t need much to make them happy.

They adore stacking and banging, they like pushing buttons and if it’s cozy it’s a win!

When finding awesome gifts for 1 year olds, I like to mix things up with both toy and non toy gifts. On the one hand, this is the perfect time to start building a playroom with things that they will truly appreciate and learn from!

On the other, they don’t require toys, so you can gift the most useful items – and it’ll make both them and their parents smile.

Join me and baby Jay as we share some of the most awesome gifts for 1 year olds – whether it’s for the holidays or their first birthday.

But there’s more! Because I have both a one and a newly-minted four year old, I got to test these with the full range of the 1-3 age range – and can share with you insights on how well these awesome gifts for 1 year olds last through toddlerhood – or don’t.

You can also check out the rest of my gift guides for more gifting inspiration!

Clothing Gift Ideas for 1 Year Olds

Clothing is the ultimate consumable – something kids can always enjoy more of (or their parents). To find beautiful, giftable clothing is the challenge! Look for items that are upscale, unique, and versatile. This way parents can really enjoy something that they may not splurge on themselves in a way that they need it.

Kyte Baby Ribbed Henley Set

Your one year old might have graduated from the “wear pajamas all day” stage – or they haven’t! Kyte Baby makes the coziest bamboo pajamas that are all buttery softness and charm.

This ribbed set works both as pajamas and clothing! A ribbed texture adds some style, and it has the same super soft fabric as the smooth styles. The two-piece set with Henley buttons can go loungewear/outfit and be worn all day, or used as pajamas for a breathable night’s sleep.

The stretch factor and clinginess of bamboo means that we get so much more wear out of it. We start it at a size up, and it lasts for at least two sizes. And doesn’t the sage color look incredible with Baby Jay’s copper hair?

Buckle Me Car Seat Coats

This one is for the safety-minded parents! Did you know that puffer coats (or anything overly bulky) are considered an unsafe obstruction to the car seat buckle? They can compress in an accident, rendering the five point harness useless. This creates major winter issues for parents once babies have transitioned to convertible car seats from the infant carrier stage – often around the age of one.

Buckle Me has the solution: an easy-to-use coat that has a quick fix solution for strapping toddlers in safely! The back is made much thinner, so that it doesn’t add bulk. And the whole front can be moved out of the way so that the harness is directly on Baby Jay. It has a convenient opening with easy-access shoulder strap slots. If the car is still chilly, you can then just zip/hook-and-loop it right over the buckle, keeping tots snug as a bug!

Especially since he’s not yet walking, it makes going out with Baby Jay much easier – instead of having to take on or off his coat, I just carry him out with it, and open it to fasten him in. And yes, it can be used as a primary winter coat too.

They have different coat weights too, and run true to size. They have enough flexibility in fit to be used for two winter seasons by the same child.

Keababies PomPom Beanies

My toddlers always love cozy stuff, and these pom pom beanies from KeaBabies are just full of coziness! The two pack is so affordable – you can purchase and split as separate gifts, or gift as a set.

And it has so much stretch, that both Baby Jay, age one, and A, a petite age 4 can wear the same hat!

Feltman Brothers Argyle Knit Set

I love it when high end dressy outfits have a cozy factor to them, especially for babies. Feltman Brother’s argyle knit set is made of 100% cotton (no sweats in this one!) It’s comfortable enough for baby to wear, but dressy enough for holidays, winter parties, and visits to Grandma.

The sweater has a sweet, classic argyle print – keeping it giftable – and comes with matching knit pants that are fitted – but not quite tight. You can dress it up even further by pairing with dress pants – but I stick to the knit pants! They allow Baby Jay to move around freely and comfortably, while still looking snazzy.

Zutano Booties

We’ve been using Zutano booties since Y was a baby, but I especially love them for this stage. One year olds who aren’t quite walking yet need something warm and cozy for the winter months. But they also need something with grip, and that’s thin enough to feel the floor in, so that they can build those new skills.

Zutano booties open nice and wide so that it’s easy to slide squirmy feet into them. They are a soft, comfy fleece that’ll keep toes warm and toasty. And they have an adjustable snap closure, so that they stay on those little feet but won’t be too tight either!

Other Non-toy Gifts

Toddlers REALLY don’t need toys to make them smile (although they do learn so much from them). However, there is this crossover between practical and toy that is just full of gifting opportunities!

BlueBerry & Third The Bookshelf

Look how excited Baby Jay is to have uninhibited access to his favorite books!

Around their first birthday, as they graduate from babies to toddlers, kids start to discover books – and what a magical world that is! This Montessori-friendly bookshelf from Blueberry & Third is perfect for little ones:

• It holds only a small selection of books – so they’ll only unload a few at a time (and also not get overwhelmed by the options…)
• It’s solid wood and looks great in just about any home – ours lives in our living room – where we hang out and therefore Baby Jay does too.
• It’s 1-year-old-friendly – sits at the height that he sits, has smoothed edges and curves, and he can’t pull it down on himself
• It’s a forward facing bookcase so he can see the books without pulling them out.

Jack N’ Jill Tickle Toothbrush Gift Set

Baby Jay is currently busy growing his entire top row of teeth (yawn!) which means it’s time to start caring for them! Jack & Jill creates tooth care products designed for little ones who are just growing them in.

Their Tickle Tooth sonic toothbrush is perfect for those first teeth, and even comes with the next size head. It gently vibrates, and lights up, and believe it or not Baby Jay ACTUALLY lets me brush his teeth with it!

Get it bundled with their natural Fluoride-free toothpaste as an awesome gift idea for 1 year olds.

Indestructible Books

Remember that bookcase that we were giving our baby free and easy access too? We need to fill it with books!

Of course, board books are always a win, but we’re big fans of Indestructibles for a more space-saving option! These books are made from “magical” pages that don’t tear, can be chewed, and are even washable.

Top Toys

Yes, toys are important at this age! Kids use them to learn and explore, develop fine and gross motor skills, and keep busy. Parents use it to keep them busy so that they can actually get stuff done!

Peg Perego John Deere Ride On Tractor

Ride-on toys are so perfect for one-year-olds, and powered ones are just seriously epic! This 6 volt mini John Deere tractor from Peg Perego is easy to use with perfectly placed pedals for those little feet. And it’ll carry through toddler hood – A loves giving it a spin too!

There are sounds and lights, a perfectly-sized steering wheel, and a “just like the grown-ups” experience with the John Deere brand. It can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it a year-round toy. And you can even upgrade it by adding a trailer to the back (available separately, not pictured.)

Oh So Fun! Take-Along Piano Toy for Toddlers

There are times when I feel like I shouldn’t even write about the toy – and just let you look at the kids’ faces in the photos and decide… but here we are!

This take-along piano from Mindware (Oriental Trading’s toy division) is both aesthetic and kid-friendly, with a wood top and legs, mint colored body, and soft splashes of color. Younger kids can just play music (and animal sounds) and older kids can insert music cards to learn how to play specific songs.

The keys feature bright colors, allowing kids to follow with the music cards. My kids all (yes, all 1-11 year olds) enjoyed playing with this but Baby Jay simply couldn’t stop thumping out (literally) some serious tunes.

And moms – yes, it does have a volume control.

Fisher Price Link Squad Jam & Count Panda

Link Squad is a brand from Fisher price with a few different musical toys that interact when you’re playing them together. While we only own and tried this one, I have tested them in the store as a set and they definitely sing up a chorus!

Each one has a unique theme, and we love the jam & count panda. It is definitely NOT a toy piano like above (although it takes a similar form) – it’s more of a number-learning toy. It teaches shapes and colors too, and has lots of different ways for kids to make noise music. There is a spinning ball, a lever, a slider, and more!

Fisher Price Wooden Activity Triangle

Fisher Price has a new classic wooden toy line, and I’m all in! This mini activity triangle is perfect for those who might want to give a wooden activity center a try, but can’t afford the space that a large one might take up.

Three sides feature three different levels of activity, requiring different fine motor movements. And it’s small enough for them to carry around on their own – which is always a win!

Panda Crate

Note: contents vary!

We are big fans of KiwiCo’s craft series, but their play boxes for babies and toddlers are spot on too! We’ve tried quite a few of them and the toys we’ve received have consistently been among our favorites.

You can gift a single toy, a recurring subscription, or a gift subscription.

Got any awesome gifts for 1 year olds to add to the list? Comment below!

The post Awesome Gifts for 1 Year Olds appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

I’m always torn whether or not I should offer a free printable calendar each year. The problem is that for the work it takes, the life of the post is way too short!

However, I decided to do it this year anyway – with a bit of a creative twist!

The idea is that you can draw your own little image into each month! Do this all at once as a New Year’s Eve activity to help count down the hours. You can even draw a new image every hour starting at noon!

Or, celebrate each new month with a little sketch.

As an example, I illustrated January for you, with the classic snowman celebrating the snow image. The truth is, it is a small space to work with, but still a fun little sketch.

This 2023 Draw Your Own calendar *now updated with the 2025 calendar* is perfect for placing on a family bulletin board with important dates circled in red. It’s a fun thing for students to keep in the clear cover pockets – or inside/front – of a binder. You can even add it to your planner as an extra page for yearly reference if you’d like!

Download it in one – or all – of four colors, to suit your style. And when you’re done, just enjoy your small low-key pieces of artwork!

What should you draw for each month?

Here’s a quick list of ideas for adding to your calendar each month!

January – New Year’s – fireworks, fancy 2023 numbers, snowman, snowflakes

February – More snow! Hearts for Valentine’s, cupid…

March – Purim, Books for Read Across America Day, rainbows, St. Patrick’s,

April – Easter, Passover drawings. Rain/umbrella for April showers.

May – May Flowers, Lag Ba’omer drawings. Mother’s Day, anything outdoorsy, or springy like park benches, trees, etc. Print some step by step flower drawing tutorials.

June – bugs, bees, Shavuot drawings, Father’s Day, more flowers and outdoors! Learn how to draw insects.

July – Fireworks, flag, Uncle Sam for 4th of July. Summer things- bathing suit, beach, sunhat.

August – More summer things! Shining suns, sunglasses, picnics, vacation photos, camper.

September – Back to school images, Rosh Hashanah drawings, acorns, squirrels, beginnings of Fall – so leaves and pine cones. Learn how to draw an easy maple leaf.

October – Halloween or Sukkot, witches, fall leaves, bare trees, Jack O Lanterns, black cats

November – Turkey! Or anything Thanksgiving, more fall, harvest drawings such as corn, pumpkins, apples, etc.

December – Christmas or Hanukkah, a touch of winter too.

Download the free printable 2025 Draw Your Own Calendar

To download, fill out the form below. You’ll be signed up for our free newsletter – unsubscribe at any time in the footer of the emails. I respect your privacy and the law and won’t share your information with anyone.

I hope you enjoy adding art to your Draw Your Own calendar! Got ideas for each month? Comment below!

The post Draw Your Own Calendar (Updated for 2025) – Free Printable appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

This Hanukkah, among my kids’ gifts I tried to include a DIY to teach them the value of creating things yourself. I created a resin letter keychain for each of them (besides Baby Jay – he’d just eat his.)

They loved it, and for A, age three, it adds the value of her learning her first initial!

A resin letter keychain makes for a fabulous sales item. It can be made in bulk, doesn’t use up too much supplies, doesn’t take too long, and feels very custom. Stock it in your shop and sell it at an affordable price.

It’s also a fabulous gift – and you can even use it as a functional gift tag (which is how I gifted it to my kids).

How to make a resin letter keychain two ways

In this post, I teach you how to create a resin letter keychain using two different processes. Both use molds to form the letters, however, one is a full-letter keychain and one has the letters on an acrylic blank.

Using an Acrylic Blank

The acrylic blank method is in a way easier and allows you to add more than one initial. Therefore, it can feel more custom.

You don’t need to use a mold to form the tiny letters – you can purchase small plastic letters. That’ll save you a step, however, you’ll run into the problem of having more of some letters and not enough of others.

Creating them from a resin mold allows you to make them as you need it.

I tend to stock blanks for making acrylic keychains with my Cricut. They are extremely useful, and I’ve used them as easy party favors (such as these DIY rainbow keychains I made for A’s first birthday).

This method uses much less resin than the full-resin method.

I honestly think that the full-letter keychains just look better, but it’s a matter of opinion.

Note: you can also combine crafts with this. You can do the resin design on one side and add vinyl initials on the other, even sealing the letters with some resin.

Using Alphabet Molds

The full-resin letter keychain used a large alphabet mold to create a pretty layered design. You can relax, add what you’d like, play with colors, and take your time with it.

As an unapologetic crazy creative, I really enjoyed making these – and my kids loved that I made it for them!

One of the biggest disadvantages of this method is that you need to drill a hole for the keychain to go through. You also might find that UV resin doesn’t cure as well at such a depth (more on that soon).

And finally, I had skipped a critical step – which I’ll advise you on – that definitely had an impact.

Resin Type, Fill-ins and Embellishments

If you haven’t yet read up on the different types of resin you’ll want to do that. The main types are two part epoxy resin that air-cures and UV resin that cures using a lamp.

Two part resin has limited work time and UV resin can be worked for much longer and is cured manually.

The biggest disadvantage of UV resin (besides for having to somewhat supervise the curing process) is that it’s pricier. For that reason, I prefer to use it for smaller projects like jewelry – DIY resin earrings and resin pendants, and, you guessed it, resin letter keychains!

For things like DIY epoxy resin coasters, I use two-part resin.

For the acrylic blank keychain, I used metallic resin dye on the letters and blue microbeads on the resin coating. I added some mini metal sea themed embellishments.

On M’s keychain, I used white opaque resin dye to tint some layers of the resin.

I added in silver flakes and undrilled gemstone chips.

I love the combination, and it may be my favorite of all that I made.

And at this stage, my critical mistake that I made is starting to show: I didn’t zap it with a heat gun. That resulted in awful air pockets. To be honest, I didn’t do it, because knowing that I was crafting it for us and not to sell, I didn’t care if a few bubbles seeped in. I used a toothpick to get to the corners but… as you can see, the heat gun is a critical step that you should not skip in resin crafts!

I went all-in with the beach theme on Y’s. The base was tinted using blue resin dye.

I added in some sand (natural and white), mini seashells, and gemstone chips. The big mistake I made: the sand is VERY hard to drill through. Make sure to leave a space for drilling on all your designs. Your best bet is to keep it free from embellishments at all.

And finally, A’s was left transparent. I used mini baby’s breath and rose gold flakes to add a little sparkle and shine.

Method 1: Making a Resin Letter Keychain Using an Acrylic Blank

I’m going to share how I did the acrylic blank method step by step first and then share the full-letter mold. Regarding the “embellishments” and dyes, I’ll be sharing in the materials list what I used but of COURSE you can use whatever you’d like.

Materials Needed

• UV resin
• UV resin lamp
• Respirator mask
• Gloves
• Heat gun
• Something to mix up resin in (I like silicone non-stick measuring cups that can be reused by curing the resin and peeling it off)
• Opaque resin dye in gold
• Blue resin dye
• Small alphabet mold
• Toothpick
• Popsicle stick
• Acrylic keychain base (it usually comes with the findings to finish it off)
• Chain nose pliers for the keychain rings
• Micro beads
• Seashell themed resin embellishments
• Tweezers

Process

Mix your letter dye color with resin in the cup, pour into the mold. Zap with the heat gun and cure according to resin package instructions.

Mix together your dye, microbeads, and resin in your cup. It should be a little thick because of the beads. Peel off the backing on one side of your keychain and apply the resin using a craft stick.

Add it in any blobby shape you’d like, or coat the whole thing. Cure.

Coat the other side with some clear resin (make sure you remove the backing). Use a craft stick to smooth it.

Zap it with the heat gun to remove air bubbles and to ensure a thorough, smooth coating.

Place your resin letters. They might glide a little, so make sure to move them back into place when you’re ready to cure.

Use tweezers to place any other small embellishments, such a the seashells, that you’d like to include. You can add a drop of resin on top of them if you’d like to coat them as well (I don’t find that these metal embellishments need to be under a layer of resin).

Cure your resin. Keep in mind that until it’s semi-cured things can move, so watch and nudge things back into place with a toothpick or tweezers if needed.

Attach a keyring through the hole – and your resin letter keychain is done!

If your hole got filled at any point, you can drill it back open (or remove the resin with a toothpick before you finish).

Method 2: Using Alphabet Molds

For this method, as you can see, I made three. I’ll be listing the embellishments and dyes separately for that reason.

I also found that using ball chain keychains instead of standard keyrings worked better thanks to the depth of the resin letter keychain.

Materials Needed

• UV resin
• UV resin lamp
• Respirator mask
• Gloves
• Heat gun
• Something to mix up resin in (I like silicone non-stick measuring cups that can be reused by curing the resin and peeling it off)
• Large alphabet mold
• Toothpick
• Popsicle stick
• Tweezers
• Ball chain keychains
• Rotary tool

Embellishments and dyes:

• Mini seashells
• Undrilled gemstone chips
• Metal flakes in rose gold and silver
• Sand: natural and white
• Opaque white dye
• Blue dye
• Baby’s Breath

Process

Since ALL my letters can be read both ways, I decided to work “front up”. That means that my bottom layer is the top layer of the keychain, and I worked towards the back.

Sine the mold is front-facing, this only works for letters like M, Y, A and not for those like B,C,D,E… For the A, I will show you how to do it so that the top layer is the front. On the M, I’ll show you how to do it backwards, like I did.

I like to do it backwards when I can because then the front ends up with the smooth finish of the mold. But it doesn’t work on all letters – so be aware of this before starting.

Backwards:

Fill your mold with the first layer of resin. This will be your topcoat.

Use a toothpick to nudge the resin into the corners and zap it with a heat gun.

Cure that first layer of resin. I do this before adding any embellishments because I want a solid smooth front with nothing poking out.

Pour in a drop more clear resin to serve as an adhesive, and add your embellishments. Play around, have fun. Zap it with a heat gun – DON’T skip this step.

Cure. I cure it at each level became I find that if I don’t it doesn’t cure thoroughly.

My background layer (the top of the M) was colored. Mix up your dye with resin in a cup.

Fill in the rest of the mold with the background color, heat gun, and cure.

Forwards:

Pour in your BACKGROUND color (here they were all straight resin). If using straight resin and not a color you can add your embellishments without curing. Don’t forget to zap with the heat gun.

Add embellishments. Nudge them in with the tweezers if needed. Baby’s breath is a little more challenging because it can poke out.

I added metallic flakes to this one as well. You can add more resin if you need it to hold the fill-ins, but leave space in the mold for a top coat that’ll completely seal in the fill-ins.

Zap with a heat gun, cure. Add a clear top coat and do the same: heat gun and cure.

For all keychains:

When it’s cured, pop it out of the mold.

Drill a hole using a rotary tool with a screw bit. I made a hole and put the keychain right through. You can also use screw-in eyes, but you will need to pre-drill too. If you don’t have the right size bit for that, you can seal it in place with more resin.

Be careful to go slow and DON’T push or you’ll crack your keychain.

Add a keychain! I found that it was a bit too thick for the standard keychain. The ball chain worked better.

You’ve mastered how to make a resin letter keychain! What do you want to try next? Comment below!

DIY Resin Letter Keychains - Two Ways!

Print

Materials

• UV resin
• UV resin lamp
• Respirator mask
• Gloves
• Heat gun
• Something to mix up resin in (I like silicone non-stick measuring cups that can be reused by curing the resin and peeling it off)
• Large alphabet mold or small alphabet letters
• Toothpick
• Popsicle stick
• Tweezers
• Ball chain keychains or acrylic keychain blanks
• Dremel tool
• Embellishments and dyes

Instructions

Using an Acrylic Blank:

1. Mix your letter dye color with resin in the cup, pour into the mold. Zap with the heat gun and cure according to resin package instructions.

2. Mix together your dye, microbeads, and resin in your cup. It should be a little thick because of the beads. Peel off the backing on one side of your keychain and apply the resin using a craft stick.

3. Add it in any blobby shape you'd like, or coat the whole thing. Cure. Coat the other side with some clear resin (make sure you remove the backing). Use a craft stick to smooth it.

4. Zap it with the heat gun to remove air bubbles and to ensure a thorough, smooth coating.

5. Place your resin letters. They might glide a little, so make sure to move them back into place when you're ready to cure.

6. Use tweezers to place any other small embellishments, such a the seashells, that you'd like to include. You can add a drop of resin on top of them if you'd like to coat them as well (I don't find that these metal embellishments need to be under a layer of resin).

7. Cure your resin. Keep in mind that until it's semi-cured things can move, so watch and nudge things back into place with a toothpick or tweezers if needed. Attach a keyring through the hole - and your resin letter keychain is done!

Using alphabet molds:

1. Fill your mold with the first layer of resin. This will be your topcoat. Use a toothpick to nudge the resin into the corners and zap it with a heat gun.

2. Cure that first layer of resin. I do this before adding any embellishments because I want a solid smooth front with nothing poking out.

3. Pour in a drop more clear resin to serve as an adhesive, and add your embellishments. Play around, have fun. Zap it with a heat gun - DON'T skip this step.

4, Cure. I cure it at each level became I find that if I don't it doesn't cure thoroughly.

5. Fill in the rest of the mold with the background color, heat gun, and cure.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post Resin Letters Keychain: 2 Ways appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

Enjoy my in-depth review of the xTool F1 Laser engraver – including some material tests and settings! Also check out my favorite crafting gadgets. This post contains affiliate links.

Heads up: this review is long and in-depth so if you want, you can skip to your specific questions using the table of contents:

For the longest time, I wanted to upgrade my crafting capabilities with a laser engraver. My main issues: space and ventilation.

When xTool reached out to me to see if I’d like to review one of their machines, I was thrilled! The xTool F1 Deluxe Bundle was gifted to me, however, I am brutally honest in all my reviews, because I want your investment to make sense for you.

A laser engraver is a big investment that can bring an even bigger return on investment, precisely because it’s a bit less accessible to everyone than other crafting machines. Turning out quantity is also faster than with other crafts, with less time spent on assembly.

It is incredible what you can do, and I’m discovering more and more each day.

I chose the xTool F1 from their selection of machines, and you’ll shortly see why. I’ll share why this might be the correct option for you, and when it might not be.

Since I created this review, I also published an xTool F1 Ultra review – for those who want fiber laser capabilities, as well as a comparison of the xTool F1 vs F1 ultra side-by-side. Check those out if you’d like, or read on more for a thorough xTool F1 review.

Meet the xTool F1

The xTool F1 is a dual laser engraver that has two modes: red light – infrared, and blue light – diode. Each one works differently, and the combination allows you to engrave more materials.

It’s a portable model, with an enclosed engraving area, and loads of features, making it the ultimate laser-on-the-go. Think: craft fairs, events, and around the house use, with this lightweight and compact machine.

xTool F1 Review Summary

While it was designed with on-site craft show customization in mind, the xTool F1 is also the perfect choice for those who are short on space – like me! It’s a fabulous entry-level laser, a perfect choice for those who need a second option, and spot on for craft-show goers.

The xTool F1 is a galvo laser, which means that it’s super fast. That’s because instead of having a motorized laser head that moves around your projects, the laser is reflected onto your surface using mirrors. This is critical when doing on-location personalization with waiting customers – as is the enclosed work area.

The smaller surface area is expandable using accessories, and only limits the size you can engrave at once, not the end-project size. Meaning, you can do larger engravings piece by piece, such as a letter at a time on a large porch sign.

That means that for those who generally do small projects but want the capabilities to do larger engravings, this can still be the right machine for you (read on).

For a full-sized, fully featured laser engraver, the xTool S1 or P2 are probably better choices.

Dual lasers – infrared and diode – mean you can engrave more materials, and yes, I’ve provided lists below! The Infrared does a fabulous job on metals – including copper, sterling silver, gold, platinum, stainless steel, brass, and more.

The diode tackles most of the other materials, including woods, stone and brick, leather and some leatherettes, acrylic, and more.

How the xTool f1 works

The xTool F1 features a small engraving surface area, which is expandable using the slide extension – reviewed below. Place your project on the surface. Lower the head super easily using the dial on the side to focus on the project. Both the red and blue dots should be aligned to focus.

There is also an auto-focus feature.

Connect using your device and design using the free XCS app (desktop, mobile).

Frame your project – this lights up an outline on the surface. You have a choice of doing a rectangle of the farthest reaches of the design or an outline of the design itself. Send it to your xTool F1, push the dial (which is also a button) to engrave or cut.

The workspace insert is removable. That means that you can take the whole shebang, place it on a larger item, and engrave through the area of the hole, as I did with this cutting board.

You can also take it outside, and engrave your home address on the bricks on the front of your house. Engrave the paint off your car. Engrave a little graffiti on your wooden fence… You WILL need to have your device plugged in while you do this.

It comes with a triangular prism cutting panel to vent beneath your cut, so that you don’t destroy the base.

If you’re new to laser engraving, you’ll find that there is a huge learning curve to materials, settings, and how to do these things. xTool has a page with basic recommendations.

You’ll still want to run cut and engrave tests of your favorite materials so that you ultimately save time.

In the box

The xTool F1 comes with:

• The machine – fully assembled
• A “pegboard” style engraving surface that is removable, along with a positioner that screws in
• The triangular prism cutting panel
• Venting Hose
• Power, connectivity cables
• Manual
• A sample pack of materials

The xTool F1 comes very well packaged with well-engineered foam inside the box. I recommend saving this if you plan to carry it to craft shows – I think it’s the absolute best way to transport your machine. Tip: photograph where everything goes/how it’s packed as you unpack it to reference later.

Features & Specs

Specifications

Here’s a rundown of the dry features for you to reference.

Pros & Cons

Because a lot of the features have built in pros AND cons, I created this chart for you to see it visually, so that you can choose the laser that is best for you. I will elaborate on everything further down – this is for the benefit of those who want a quick list.

Favorite Features & Cool Stuff

I found xTool Creative Space, xTool’s native software, easy to learn, as an experienced Cricut crafter and graphic designer. I still prefer to design in Illustrator as there’s much more I can do there, but for quick projects and text-based customization, XCS is all I need.

The iPad app has the ability to freestyle write in it – I wish the Windows app had that too! Especially since it’s often used for onsite customization, it would be a shame not to have that. Surface computers are a popular choice for crafters and creators, and often an alternative to iPads for artists. Surface users expect to be able to do all the writing/drawing they need to on their devices. I’d love to see that feature come to Windows.

While you should still NEVER leave your machine unattended, the xTool F1 does have an auto shut off if a flame is detected. It’s nice to have that safety feature.

In addition, since it’s fully enclosed, with a laser-proof cover, you can watch your work. Keeping in mind that this is a device that you bring to work with on-site, it’s important not to allow your customers to blind themselves by looking at the laser.

While it doesn’t have a camera to show you where you’re placing your design (a feature that I imagine would majorly up the cost of the machine), you do have a live preview that shows you where your design is placed. You can nudge it on the screen to the right spot.

Of course, the biggest features are its space-saving design and portability, which is ultimately why I chose this one. It even has a carry handle, to make moving it less awkward.

The machine base has little screw holes in it, and a corner positioner so that you can place smaller, smoother items without experiencing shift. That means that you don’t need a jig for everything, and you can batch produce many things without any extras.

Overall, the xTool F1 looks sleek and modern, with intuitive handles, ease-of-use features, switches on the back, and even a “cheat sheet” sticker on the side of the machine. It has an emergency stop button on the left side of the machine.

And it can capture incredible detail when you use the right image and settings.

xTool F1 Accessories

With the F1, xTool sent me some add-ons that you can purchase with your laser engraver, or add on later. My reviews for these will be brief, but feel free to ask any questions – comment below or email me.

Slide Extension

The slide extension more than triples your work surface. This is most practical for when you want to make something larger OR when you want to batch process.

Your engraving speed will be slower, since the motor-free effect of the galvo laser is mitigated by the fact that the extension itself moves with a motor.

The surface is also a triangular prism surface ideal for cutting, and it includes a few slide-in clamps to help your materials and blanks stay in position. Setup took minutes as it was mostly assembled right out of the box.

DEFINITELY get it if you tend to process larger orders or batch process. I recommend it if you intend to engrave or cut larger items too.

RA2 Pro Rotary

The rotary extension is one that I need to learn about a LOT more. It’s got its own learning curve, loads of little features, and lots of functionality. I believe that it’s compatible with other laser engraver’s from xTool’s lineup so that is a huge plus.

The RA2 Pro basically rotates the item you’re engraving, so that you can get an all-around engrave. This allows you to engrave around a bangle bracelet or ring, or around a tumbler or ornament.

It definitely adds to the functionality for both jewelry creators and other crafters.

Set it up on the work surface, placing the insert next to the machine to stabilize it. Plug it into your machine. There is an optional support for the other side of your blank.

You can use the rollers that support the item on each side, or the chuck, which holds the item using tension. The chuck also comes with different attachments. The RA2 Pro rotary extension does require some assembly.

I don’t think it’s a must for jewelry creators unless you do a lot of personalization on rings and bangles – it is a MUST for tumbler creators. It adds an incredible amount of functionality for all crafters.

Desktop Air Purifier

One of my biggest hesitations with getting a laser engraver to begin with was the lack of an outer wall in my craft room. Laser engraving and cutting sets off smoke and fumes, and MUST be vented. And since I’m an asthmatic, it’s even more critical.

The desktop air purifier is not the best way to vent your fumes. The best way is outdoors. However, if you DON’T have that option, the desktop air purifier can be what allows you to own a laser at all.

I found it to work very well. It’s not perfect, but I do think of it as “good enough”. It connects to the air fan on the F1 (you can actually see the smoke being suctioned in) and purifies the air before allowing it out. It contains multiple levels of filtration, with a few replacements.

The replacement filters are pricey, but you can actually wash them out and reuse them a few times. Update – you can read my xTool SafetyPro series review for a less compact but more cost effective and better air purifier option!

So the purifier is a must for those without a way to vent outdoors, and a bonus for better filtration for those who can. I do have an air purifier in my craft room to help as well.

Setting it up was super easy – as easy as just attaching included ducts to the correct openings.

(Make sure you choose the deluxe bundle)

3rd Party Recommended Accessories

Here are some things that aren’t part of any packages but you’ll want to have for using with your xTool F1:

Laser Proof Goggles -Looking directly at a laser can be harmful to your eyes. While you might often work with the cover closed, you’ll also sometimes have it open (at the very least when working with extensions) and since this is basic safety, I wish it came by default.

Fire Extinguisher – Another thing to have handy for safety – just in case. I got a car sized one to keep in my craft room. I haven’t had to use it yet (and don’t plan to need to).

Digital Caliper – Not a must, but a fabulous tool for if you want precise measurements, especially on smaller jewelry items. I picked one up and I’m using it heavily.

Jigs – These can be super helpful when batch processing. Because of the removable base of the F1, you’ll find some that fit right in and make designing the same thing a breeze, using a template.

What can the xTool F1 Do?

To know if the xTool F1 is the correct machine for you, it’s important to understand from the start what it can and can’t do.

What can the xTool F1 engrave?

This is not going to be an exhaustive list (it can engrave over 300+ materials), because that would pretty much be impossible, but these are just some examples and popular materials to engrave. Keep in mind that each brand you buy from, each finish, each exact item is different from the next.

You’ll get to know the materials you like best, which work best, as you create.

• Stainless steel
• Sterling Silver
• Gold
• Platinum
• Copper
• Brass
• Coated aluminum
• Aluminum
• Opaque acrylics excl blue
• Slate
• Ceramic
• Paper
• Cardboard
• Chipboard
• Basswood
• Bamboo
• Leather
• PU Faux Leather
• Cured clay
• Some natural stones
• Brick

• Food (like macarons)

• Some fabrics like canvas and denim

xTool F1 Engraved Material tests

These are some of the materials that I tried the F1 on and how they performed.

Slate Coaster

The slate coaster that comes in the materials pack engraves beautifully. It’s a perfect starter project – and the first one I did with my machine.

Stainless Steel Jewelry

The ability to engrave jewelry is one of the big perks of the F1, and on-the-spot personalization of stainless steel blanks is a favorite craft show feature.

The Infrared laser allows beautiful metal engravings. The engraving is actually a marking and maybe a shallow etch – for a deeper engrave, you’d need a fiber laser (that costs many times the price of this one).

I tried it first using the recommended engrave settings on a medical bracelet and it made a decent mark. I then slowed it down and used the following settings on the heart pendant that came in my material sample pack: Power 100, Speed 5, and 300 lines per cm.

I got a beautiful black engraving. I will be personalizing LOTS more jewelry with this in the future!

You’ll want to do a test grid on any metals (and most materials you use) to get the look you like. You can even engrave in tinted color on metal by using a test grid to see the different effects of the different colors.

Black Cast Acrylic

Acrylic is another favorite material, and I hope to try more colors to test their engraving ability.

For now, I made simple stud earrings, engraving a rose (an xTool Creative Space included image) on it. xTools’ built-in settings for their acrylic worked beautifully. The detail is incredible.

Bamboo

I got my F1 around Hanukkah time and wanted a super easy gift I can whip out for EVERYBODY – that’ll feel special, cost very little, and be enjoyed by almost anyone of any gender or age.

I decided that fun little wooden pens with their names on them will do the trick.

Bamboo tends to have variations, and so the finish wasn’t very even, but I like the look. If you make it strong enough, it won’t matter.

I also engraved a cutting board to try engraving a larger item by removing the base plate and placing the whole machine on top of it.

Basswood

Basswood engraves much more consistently than bamboo (possibly because it’s unfinished). I made a dog tag shaped pendant to test it out, using patterns and shapes pulled from XCS.

It came out absolutely beautiful – it looks like a stain – as you can see, and I can’t wait to play with this more!

Metal Business Card

The sample pack came with something I didn’t even know exist before, but I’m super excited about as a graphic designer: metal business cards! These coated aluminum cards are super thin, and engrave beautifully.

And they’re not just for business cards!

I engraved a photo of my husband’s late grandfather on one to see the detail that the xTool F1 can engrave and it’s beautiful.

Leather

As a jewelry crafter, I HAD to play with leather. I took a piece of genuine leather from a scrap pack. It engraved very nicely. I will point out that leathers differ greatly from one another, and you’re probably best off testing small samples of any leather you plan to use.

I haven’t yet tried it with faux leather, as I’m not sure which type of faux leather my stash contains. The sample pack contains a faux leather patch, but since I don’t quite know what to do with it yet, I haven’t tested it.

Kraft Jewelry Box

Since I’m a jewelry crafter, I wanted to share specifically feedback on jewelry-style materials. I engraved a cardboard jewelry box I had hangin’ about. It did a gorgeous job. It’s a beautiful, organic way to customize packaging materials. And it goes pretty quickly. You can make yourself a jig for the lids, use the slide extension and do a few at once.

What can it NOT engrave?

The xTool F1 might not be your number one pick if you’re looking to engrave any of the following:

• Clear surfaces – both glass and clear acrylic aren’t considered engravable by this machine. However, there are hacks. I’ve seen people coat the glass or acrylic with a paint that can then be washed off. I haven’t tried this yet.
• Blue surfaces – The diode laser is the same wavelength – or close to – blue materials such as acrylic, so it absorbs the light. Once again, I wonder if painting it and then washing off the paint would work – I’d like to try that sometime as well.
• Toxic Materials – Such as PVC. Since it sets off fumes, these materials are not laser-friendly and should not be used, even with proper ventilation.

More ideas to engrave

While my list above focused on materials, I want to share some general ideas so that you can understand just how much you can craft with the xTool F1:

• Coins
• Tumblers
• Addresses on Brick Walls
• Canvas Artwork – either an outline to paint or a photo
• Cardboard notebooks – pair them with personalized pens!
• PU Leather jewelry cases, etc.
• Silicone watch bands, teethers, shallow molds
• Microfiber jewelry bags
• Coated ornaments
• Device cases
• Cutlery
• Pocket knives
• Scratch art paper
• Toast
• Cookies as a decorating template
• Cork trivets

What can the xTool F1 cut?

Once again, this is not going to be an exhaustive list, just top materials.

• Faux leather (PU not PVC)
• Colored acrylic
• Basswood
• Leather
• Cardboard
• Chipboard
• Paper

xTool F1 Cut Material tests

Black Acrylic

One of my favorite features of the xTool F1 is the ability to cut black acrylic. You need to make sure you’re getting cast acrylic for this.

The stud earrings that I shared my engraving for above were also cut with the xTool F1. The cut is clean and beautiful. Be aware that if you’re cutting too far from the center, something small like this, you’ll get a noticeable angled cut.

To cut acrylic, you need to remove the backing. Cutting without doing that will result in a flame and burning your acrylic.

Basswood

The dog tag necklace I shared above was also cut using the xTool F1. It’s very easy to get a small flame, and so you don’t want to leave your project in progress ever. However, there is automatic shutoff when a flame is detected.

3mm Basswood cuts beautifully when doing simple shapes.

As part of this post, I wanted to trial more complex shapes. It can definitely cut intricate shapes, however, I haven’t mastered the settings. A big part of doing this is getting the cut settings right, so that you don’t burn your wood too much.

I’ll update this post when I see that I’ve mastered the super-intricate cut, but for now, I’m very happy with its scoring, engraving, and simpler cutting capabilities on wood

Leather

Leather is one of the trickier materials for a simple reason: it varies so greatly – in size, weight, finish, etc.

I tried cutting a scrap of green leather. I’ll be honest, I don’t know that much about leather and if it’s sometimes coated with unnatural materials, but I was not happy with the fumes it set off. That says more about the leather than the laser.

I was, however, very VERY happy with the cut, so I’ll be trying this again with other leathers.

Cutting leather also made a small flame, so definitely supervise! It’s normal, and it is really just a tiny little flame that follows the laser as it cuts (and in fact is probably what was cutting the leather…)

Who should get the xTool F1?

The xTool F1 has its strong suits and its weaknesses. It can be the perfect first machine for some people and the perfect second machine for others. And some people will do better with the S1 enclosed Diode laser or the P2 CO2 laser. So who is it right for?

xTool F1 Review in a Nutshell

Let’s recap quickly. The xTool F1 can do a LOT and packs a punch for a machine of its size, however, it is limited in its size. For people who generally stick to projects in the scope of the F1 sizing it’s all you need. For those who are limited in space and might not otherwise be able to accommodate a laser, it is the solution you’ve been asking for.

For those who often do larger projects, the size limitations are not as efficient as full sized lasers such as the S1 or P2. For those who do tumblers, its’ very easy to use with the RA2 Pro rotary attachment. And for anyone who goes to craft shows, you’ll be ten steps ahead of the competition by being able to produce things on the spot.

Back in my craft show days, I made a critical mistake: I wanted to be able to keep my sample stock, so instead of bringing jewelry to sell, I brought “display pieces” to remake for buyers. I didn’t sell a thing. Buyers often buy on impulse, or value something they can go home with. They don’t want to make an extra stop, wait (or pay) for shipping. Sometimes they need the gift quickly.

While personalization is a bit different in that people expect wait time, it’s that much cooler to not have to have it. Your customers will be pleasantly surprised, not only to WATCH the personalization process through the laser-proof cover, but to actually go home with the custom piece.

For these reasons, I think it’s the perfect choice for jewelry makers – whether as a first machine or a second.

It’s fabulous for keychains, ornaments, wallets, and many, many other smaller items as well, but for jewelry crafters I think it’s spot on.

Here’s why I think it’s the best laser engraver for jewelry makers – hands down!

I think this is the perfect blend of laser features that jewelry makers need. The Diode laser allows you to cut popular jewelry materials: leather, PU faux leather, wood, acrylic – and the black acrylic looks so elegant in jewelry. The other colors it handles are just a perk (note: it does not handle all acrylics well, and definitely not clear or blue.)

The Infrared laser handles metal engraving like a champ and allows you to to personalized jewelry like name or initial jewelry, “mom” necklaces with kids’ names/birthdays, fan jewelry, medical IDs…

The speed, laser cover, and portability allow for onsite customization at craft shows and events (think: birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings).

And since the scale of jewelry is very small, even without a slide extension you’ll be able to batch produce some things. With the slide and the right jigs you can almost mass produce small items!

I love how the xTool F1 can be used for branding materials for businesses too. It’s a powerhouse tool for small businesses, especially jewelry businesses.

If you have any questions, hit me up in the comments or email me.

Got any questions on this xTool F1 review? Comment below and I’ll try to answer them asap!

The post xTool F1 Laser Engraver – Review & Material Tests appeared first on Moms and Crafters.

If you’re looking for the best gifts for a 10 year old boy, you’ll love these ideas that are tried and tested by me and my lovely ten year old! If you want more ideas, you can also check out the top gifts to get a 9 year old boy. This post contains affiliate links.

M has joined me in trying and testing some fabulous gift ideas for Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays – or whatever it is you’re looking for to spoil a 10 year old.

These best gifts for ten year old boys are also great for girls. I like to share which gender tested it because that’s what people tend to search for and, you know, I kind of want them to find my post! So this was tested by a ten year old boy, but the things we’re sharing are gender neutral and super fun for girls too (at least I would have loved them at that age…)

So M and I put our blood sweat and tears into testing these gifts for 10 year olds (okay, who am I kidding – we had a blast). But what made the cut for this guide? What do you look for in the best gifts for a 10 year old boy?

Choosing the best gifts for a 10 year old boy

So what do M and I look for in the best gifts for ten year olds? One pattern I’m noticing is that M is spending less time playing with toys. Obviously, he prefers to use devices all day, and while we seriously limit screen time, we still find that gadgets make fabulous gifts for a 10 year old boy.

As M grows older, he likes to step out less and less. I’ve been encouraging more fresh air, and so things that get kids active and outdoors are also fabulous choices – especially for kids who prefer to read a good book.

Speaking of which, those are also great gifts. I think that simply observing what your child spends most of their day on can give you a lot of insight into what makes a good gift.

Finally, as kids mature, they start appreciating non-toy gifts again. While your three year old will get excited with underwear if it has Elmo on it, or pajamas if it’s cozy, your seven year old will likely say “hey, it’s not a toy!” (Yes, we teach them better, yet somehow…) At ten, I’m finding that new appreciation for non-toy gifts, as long as it has a special spin to it.

On that note, you might want to check out my Best Birthday Gifts for 7 year old boys as well as some Best Birthday Gifts for a 3 Year Old Girl.

Ultimately, if it has a little bit of hype, is good quality, and has an element of appeal, it probably makes a fabulous gift idea for a 10 year old boy.

You’ll see these concerns addressed in my other gift guides too!

16 Coolest Gift Ideas for a 10 year old boy

Here are our personal recommendations, with each product tried and tested. Most of this list came from provided samples that the brand sent, however, it was carefully curated in advance, and then tested for quality and to share my honest experience.

Outdoors & Active Top Gifts for a 10 Year Old Boy

M is a bookworm and it can be hard to get him outdoors, or even to be active indoors. I find that the best way to do it is to appeal to what he likes. He does enjoy sports a bit, but not competitive or team sports, and as a STEM-minded boy, it can be nice to get him outdoors doing the things that he loves.

POWERUP – Paper Airplane Engine

My kids love making paper airplane and this epic paper airplane engine helps up their paper airplane game! It clips on quite easily to a paper airplane (instructions included) and helps it to fly for real. It has the cool factor of a drone but is much more educational, with the benefits of STEM learning and engineering a good plane.

It handles crashes well, reducing frustration (don’t ask M what happened to his toy drone when it crashed – it was sad).

To cut back on weight and keep it flight-friendly, it has an external battery that gives it the charge it needs for a flight in twenty seconds, minimizing the frustration of charging wait times.

My boys are obsessed with this. Not only has it gotten their creative and STEM skills moving along, but it’s also gotten them out the back door and into the fresh air!

Gel Blasters

Gel Blasters have become a hit activity in my family. They are the perfect solution for kids who don’t like getting wet – and no, they don’t make a mess at all!

Gel blasters shoot Gellets (basically mini water beads that also hydrate faster) which explode on impact and basically dissolve. They also don’t hurt – though my kids prefer to play games using the Portal Smart Target instead. The Portal app features loads of different games that you can play and keeps score!

Since the unmade Gellets take up little space, they’re easy to store.

Kids can shoot singles or do continuous shooting. My kids pretty much kept it on continuous shooting. But don’t worry – it’s easy to hydrate additional Gellets! Get the Depot too – an easy hydration bucket so you can have refills handy. The depot has a spout that can be used to let out water and to refill Gel Blasters easily.

Gel Blaster makes loads of varieties, so that there’s something for everyone. I like for my boys to learn on the smaller ones, but if you want a really insanely cool gift -and for kids who are serious about their blasting skills – the XL series are just that much cooler.

The Starfire blasters (both small and large) have an optional UV light to light up the glow in the dark Gellets.

We pulled these out to have family battles when we were stuck at home on a day that should have been an outing and it really saved the day.

Hoverboard

Whether your kid rides their bike or not (or has enough space to ride unsupervised) the hoverboard will DEFINITELY be a hit. It requires less space, less skills, and while it’s less healthy than a bike, it’s so much more fun!

Just make sure to get a proper UL listed one to make sure it’s safe!

Sturdy Over the Door Basketball with Spring

If your kids love basketball, they’ll love an over-the-door basketball hoop. The trick is to get a good one!

Look for one that has a large backboard and a spring-loaded rim. Place it over the door in an area where you don’t mind some action happening.

It’s a perfect way to get them active in colder weather.

Best Games for a 10 Year Old Boy

As kids’ social skills evolve, they enjoy playing more games. Not only can it boost social skills, but even the single player games help them accomplish concrete goals and build cognitive skills. It feels less childish and many of these games don’t have an age cap – they’re forever games! These games are some of the best gifts for a 10 year old boy.

Video Game: Nascar Arcade Rush

A few years ago, my boys got a Nintendo Switch, and now we love gifting them new games to expand its use! Their favorite type – the ones that get the most use hands down – are the racing games.

Nascar Arcade Rush is a single player game that is set in various actual Nascar locations. There are loads of different customization options and a few types of single player modes, making it a game with loads of possibilities for solo players who love racing.

Strategy Board Game: Floats McGoats

There are board game people and there are no-board game people and to be honest, I’m in the second category. Which is why we rarely do game nights. But my kids LOVE board games. And the best way to really teach them how to play is when we play with them.

We LOVE Floats McGoats so much that we’re trying to convert our friends into fans too! It features very simple game play and easy-to-understand rules.

It’s perfect for play dates and family game nights because it’s so easy to learn and get the hang of. Game play is quick too, perfect for kids (and, ahem, me) who have little patience. It’s got that silly appeal that ten year olds will love. Younger kids can play too – they might just need a little guidance in their strategy. Y is 7 and he had lots of fun with it too.

Floats McGoats is a tactile game that is fabulous for non-gamers like me. The game play is simple: each turn you choose to place a goat or spin the 12-sided die. The die has different commands, such as to place a stick, “goat fight”, shark attack, and more.

There are various rules, but at the end of the day, you’re trying to be the first to “float” enough goats to win. Heads up: I won game night. Maybe that’s why I love it so much…

Single Player Puzzle Game: Tower Stacks from SmartGames

One of the downsides to having a brother close in age is that sometimes your brother DOESN’T want to play with you. That’s just one reason we love SmartGames’ single player puzzles. And this castle one is awesome – and perfect for the kid who wants to feel like they’re making something more tangible.

Start by choosing a puzzle (I recommend starting from the beginning) and place the starting blocks. Then, fit the remainder fully on top of the level before. Use as many levels as you’d like – but each one must be fully set on the pieces below!

The easier puzzles use fewer pieces and then you move on to using them all.

M also had fun trying to make his own towers, making this a two-in-one building challenge and puzzle!

Travel-Friendly Single Player Puzzle Game: Criss Cross Cube

Another super fun single-player game from SmartGames, the Criss Cross cube is more compact and self-storing (when fully assembled). My boys love doing this one in the car, during carpools.

Criss Cross Cube comes with different colored screw-in pegs. Each color is a different length. Each puzzle starts with a specific setup of screws. You need to figure out how to place the rest so that they don’t interfere with each other.

Adventure strategy game (Monopoly Alternative): Raccoon Tycoon

Raccoon Tycoon is an adventure board game that centers around commodities markets. It features longer game play and is a fabulous gateway game to other more advanced board game. I recommend this game for real gamers – those for whom a good board game is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon, for those of you who will take the time to learn the rules well so that you can enjoy long game play.

At ten, M is starting to take interest in real world things, and understand things like inflation and other factors that influence the financial market and price of goods. Much like in the real world, there are different strategies you can take to reach the goal – to win the game.

Racoon Tycoon is focused on that, in a top quality game with gorgeous illustrated graphics featuring ironically realistic animals in full regalia. It features high quality tiles and cards, and coated currency.

Buy and sell resources, increasing and lowering the cost of each commodity, just like supply and demand would affect real life costs.

The game features different assets (railroads, buildings, and towns) you can buy and sell to affect your ability to collect more commodities. The game ends when all railroads and towns are auctioned or purchased, and whoever has the most victory points (based on the assets) wins.

Accessories & Non-Toy Gifts for a 10 Year Old Boy

Another sign of maturity is when the gift doesn’t HAVE to be a toy and can be more practical. And I just love it. For Hanukkah, I try to split the nights’ gifts between toys, smaller activities, and more practical non-toy gifts that feel like gifts. And this age is the perfect age to start with that again for birthdays and other occasions.

Chopper Mill Personalized Mittens

Clothing gifts are SO practical and you can see from M’s smile just how happy he was with these. Chopper Mill Mittens are perfect for the kid who loves the snow but hates soggy fingers. Even if you don’t do much outdoor sports, they’re perfect for winter.

Adding personalization just makes it a cooler gift, and my ten year old is a little TOO obsessed with the carabiner clips. It comes with a large carabiner too, so that kids can hang them on their backpack and allow them to dry (and hopefully actually bring them home.

They are made from top quality materials including leather, Thinsulate, a Hipora waterproof insert and performance material. They have large cuffs that can go over coat sleeves and block any gaps. These are top quality; I imagine M will be passing these on to Y and then to A and Baby Jay when he outgrows them.

Minecraft Medical ID Bracelet from StickyJ

If your kid has medical needs (such as food allergies) an allergy alert bracelet can help identify their medical needs in case of an emergency. But it doesn’t have to look medical.

StickyJ makes adorable designs for kids (yes, you can get yours custom engraved) and M and Y both love their Minecraft designs!

The bracelet is a comfortable silicone band with a slide-on metal ID tag. It’s easy to interchange bands to switch up your kid’s style. And M loves that it’s a watch band!

Dommei Domepak Display Backpack

Cool kids have cool backpacks – or at least that’s what my kids tell me! The Dommei Domepak is like nothing I’ve ever seen before! It has a PVC domed display in the front that kids can customize with inserts and toys!

Kids can choose different themes – M loves the space one. Attach the toys to the panel with pegs and switch them out as you’d like. The Space Domepak kit comes with a galaxy themed background and space themed toys, as well as the backpack and pegs.

The toys are vividly colored and made of high quality non-toxic materials. It’s easy to assemble, as the rubber that holds the pegs expands easily to accommodate them. The 17 inch backpack is the perfect size for M, age 10. It’s well padded, with side pockets for drinks and an inner padded device pocket.

Workman Calendars: Kids Awesome Activity Calendar or Maze-A-Day Calendar

M just started fifth grade, and one of the skills kids learn, ahead of middle school, is how to keep a calendar.

While these calendars aren’t necessarily planners, they’re super fun for kids to have at home to keep track of the date and their lives!

The Kids Awesome Activity Calendar Features an activity or two that kids can complete on every monthly page. What would you want with you if you were stuck on a desert island? What’s on your summer bucket list?

It’s a wall calendar, that M will be mounting on the wall above his desk. A traditional monthly layout with kid-friendly fun and quirky graphics allows him to keep track of things like doctor appointments, school trips, or the other fun stuff in his life. I’m not gonna lie – he’s been begging me for a planner “just like mine” so that he can do this!

And it even comes with stickers for marking sleepovers, vacation and half days, tests, day camp, games, and more! Of course, there are “just for fun” stickers too.”

Want a calendar for kids who won’t really use it for event tracking but will use it for date-tracking? The Maze-A-Day calendar features a fun maze for every day – perfect for your ten year old! Assemble the cardboard stand, prop it on a desk, and start doing mind-bending mazes daily!

The solutions are printed on the back, so that if kids give up, they have the solution at their fingertips.

STEAM, Educational Gifts for 10 Year Old Boys

For the STEMmies out there, there are just so many options. But what about the kid who already has all the building toys? Here are some fun options, including art and craft kids that are totally gender neutral – and books of course.

Crayola HD Coloring Kit

Sometimes the things that kids naturally love get a little tricker when they get older and care more about things not being too childish. M loves art, but he needs it to be on his level and he often doesn’t know where to start with drawing.

Crayola’s HD coloring kit comes with grayscale animal and nature prints as well as thirty colored pencils – and a sharpener too! Kids can practice color blending skills, but the drawing and the shading is already in place. It’s very relaxing and a fabulous mental break for kids after a long, tough day at school.

I’m working on teaching M color theory, and this is a fabulous starting point. Because of the translucent nature of colored pencils, the shading really shows through – but kids can layer on more of their own, and color it according to their skill level.

They’re loose coloring printed on very thick paper, making for a high end result that’s ready to display. And we love seeing a kids art kit that doesn’t feel too girly for a change!

Tinker Crate

M gets super excited every time he gets a new Tinker Crate – and he learns so much from them! This STEM box is an affordable way to teach kids who love to tinker some science, technology, and engineering basics while keeping them entertained.

You can choose the subscription length, making it a perfect gift for ten year olds in any price point!

How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000: Newly Minted 2nd Edition

If your kid is starting to purchase some of their own things, ask about money matters, or show interest in earning their own, a finance book is the perfect gift. I was impressed with “How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000″‘s second edition book because of how beautifully and visually it laid things out, really appealing to my ten year old boy’s realistic style of absorbing information.

At a time when it feels like kids don’t gain some basic life and financial skills, this book is a fabulous gift that’ll appeal to kids’ innate desire to have cool stuff.

It’s full of diagrams, illustrations, kid-friendly language, and everything your kid needs to understand the world of personal finance – from investing, to holding a job, to saving and spending wisely.

PlayMonster Craft-Tastic Nature Lantern

As hard as it is to find art kits that are gender neutral enough to appeal to M, craft kits can be even harder. But for kids who love collecting leaves and other found items, Playmonster’s Craft-Tastic nature lantern is perfect!

The kit includes its own stickers, but it’ll be much cooler if you go and collect some treasures! It features instructions for quickly drying your own leaves and flowers too. It lights up with an LED tea light so it’s safe and kid-friendly (and M feels like it’s gadget-y too!)

Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica

M loves facts and he loves science, and Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica for kids features loads of facts with pretty illustrated visuals. If your kid (or your) learns best visually and likes details, this book shows it all clearly. While we love novels – and, ahem, graphic novels – my kids actually spend endless hours over the fact books in our collection.

This book is features chapters including space, living planet, animals, the human body, and more.

It’s got lots of hows, whys, and diagrams, and easy-to-digest information in short paragraphs. It’s perfect for fact geeks like M to really build their knowledge while relaxing at the end of a long day.

Animal FACTopia

Another favorite from Britannica Books, Animal FACTopia features facts about animals. It’s bright and vivid with the funniest illsutrations mixed with even funnier facts. It’s got loads of photos too and the kinds of facts that are good to know… as well as those you really didn’t need to know.

M gets a kick out of feeding them back to me.

If you’re looking for a smaller gift, for someone who’s a huge animal fanatic, or for someone who prefers shorter one-sentence facts and more playful pages, go for this one.

Got any favorite gift ideas for a 10 year old boy to add to the list? Comment below!

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